Best: It’s down to him

Clyde Best believes Nahki Wells has the world at his feet but warned the 22-year-old not to rush into a summer move away from Bradford City.

Bermuda striker Wells has banged in 18 goals for the Bantams this season and will play in the biggest match of his career so far a week on Sunday — the same day Best turns 62 — when he takes on Premier League Swansea City in the final of the Capital One Cup.

The former Dandy Town man’s pace and nimble footwork has caught the eye in upsets over Wigan, Arsenal and then Aston Villa in the two-legged semi-final en route to Wembley.

Leeds, Wolves and Huddersfield were all reportedly interested in the youngster during the January transfer window.

But legendary Bermudian Best, who enjoyed a distinguished career at top-flight West Ham in the 60s and 70s, said if Wells moves up the football ladder too soon, it could harm his career.

“It will be hard but you have to think long term,” Best told the Bermuda Sun. “The further up you go the harder it is going to be, of course.

“You go to a new team and you are going after other people’s jobs, you know? My advice, that I’ve always said, would be learn your craft properly and you are going to have a long time in the game.

“If you take short cuts and go to a team that’s not established or won’t  benefit you, then that can hurt you.”

This time next week, Wembley fever will have truly gripped the island and those not fortunate enough to be travelling to London to cheer on their compatriot.

Despite the Hammers reaching the FA Cup final during his eight years at the club in 1975, Best missed out after failing to make the matchday squad, which was limited to just 13 players back then.

Wells, of course, is expected to start on February 24 and become just the third Bermudian to play at Wembley after Shaun Goater and Kyle Lightbourne.

And Best says it’s down to him how far he can go in the game: “He has the ability to go as far as he wants but it’s really up to him.

“He will determine that by the goals he scores and the way he plays. The buck stops with him.

“The managers will play a part but it’s down to him.”

Lightbourne won the Auto Windscreens Shield with Stoke in 1999-2000 and also had notable spells at Walsall, Stoke and Coventry, who were in the top flight then.

He reckons an offer from a higher league will prove too tempting for Wells.

“It’s a short career,” said Lightbourne. “Right now, he’ll probably think he has all the time in the world on his side.

“But if the oppportunity comes along it will be hard to turn down.

“I thought as long as they made it to Wembley then he would be there until the end of the saeson.

“The interest will still be there in the summer. It all depends on the manager and the club.

He added: “Nahki has the potential to go to the top.

“From what he shows now — the main thing is he has to be consistent over the length of the season, which he’s shown over the last two years he’s been up there scoring goals for Bradford.

“For Shaun and myself, we did it for three or four years before getting a chance at a higher level —  that’s the consistency you have to show.”